Indiana Chamber of Commerce supports expansion of cold beer sales for first time

Expanding cold beer sales and allowing retail sales of alcohol on Sundays are something many Indiana residents have long wanted and an issue that could be gaining traction. But a complex set of forces has kept that from happening.
Dwight Adams/IndyStar

For the first time, the powerful Indiana Chamber of Commerce is supporting expanded cold beer sales.

But the business group's leader said it doesn't necessarily plan to prioritize the issue during the upcoming legislative session, leaving questions about what impact, if any, the new position will have.

The chamber recently released a 41-page report on more than 125 policy positions its board has voted to support during the upcoming General Assembly.

Those positions include renewed support for ending the state's ban on Sunday carryout alcohol sales — a topic the chamber has been vocal about in the past. But they also include a new call to ditch the state's temperature restrictions on beer.

"We’re supportive of Sunday sales and removing current restrictions on selling cold beer, but these changes are not a legislative priority of ours," Chamber President Kevin Brinegar said.

“We agree with what the Governor and legislative leaders have said — that the alcohol sales issue is going to keep coming up until something is done," he said. "So let’s take care of it now so we can return the focus to more consequential items that impact every business and resident.”

Indiana is the only state in the nation that regulates beer based on temperature and two recent public opinion polls show that a strong majority of Hoosiers want expanded cold beer and Sunday alcohol sales.

The chamber's position on cold beer is at odds with another influential group at the Statehouse — the package liquor store industry.

Right now, liquor stores are the only retailers allowed to sell cold beer in Indiana, with few exceptions. Gas stations, big box stores and pharmacies are prohibited from cooling or chilling the beer they sell.

Jon Sinder, leader of the state liquor store association, said his group is eager to work with the chamber and lawmakers "if and when" their priorities align with those of liquor stores.

The leader of the Indiana Retail Council, which represents big box grocery stores, did not respond to a request for comment.

Liquor stores and big box stores recently announced an unlikely alliance under which they've agreed to support Sunday alcohol sales while opposing the expansion of cold beer sales.

Left out of the deal were convenience stores, which want to break up liquor stores' stranglehold on cold beer.

Scot Imus, who leads the state's convenience store association, said the broader business community's support for expanded cold beer sales is a significant development.

"This is the first time their board has adopted this position," he said. "We certainly applaud them and see it as a positive step going forward. I hope the commission and then the General Assembly will listen to the business community and the public."

Lawmakers earlier this year set up a commission to review Indiana's alcohol laws, which they acknowledge are antiquated. The commission has already decided to recommend allowing Sunday alcohol sales and is expected to make a decision about expanded cold beer sales before the full legislature convenes in January.

The chamber is expected to announce its legislative priorities during an event Monday at 11 a.m. at the Hyatt Regency Downtown.